Hands-on Chromatography
Sheryl K. Hoffmann
Concordia College
CONASTA 60
Definitions
Definition 1:
 Chromatography is a technique for separating similar compounds from
one another by using differences in the strength of their adsorption on
an inert material.
 Adsorb: hold (molecules of a gas or liquid or solute) to its surface
 Absorb: swallow up, incorporate, take in
Definition 2:
 Chromatography is a technique which can be used to separate the
components of a mixture. The method depends upon differences in
the abilities of the components to adhere to a porus solid such as
silica gel, called the stationary phase differences in the abilities of the
components to be dissolved in a stream of liquid or gas, called the
mobile phase, which is passed over the solid.
Main Types
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Paper Chromatography
Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)
Column Chromatography
High Performance Liquid
Chromatography (HPLC)
Gas-Liquid Chromatography
Basic Method
Spotting Technique
Tips
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If the spot is large, components start from different origins
and will thus blur any separation that would normally
occur.
Try a quick dabbing motion, the longer the liquid is in
contact with the paper the larger the spot
If the spot is not very concentrated the resulting bands,
once spread over a wider area, will be even fainter.
If the solution to be spotted is not very strong, spot
several times, being sure to allow the spot to dry inbetween, a hair drier will speed up the drying process.
Hands On Activities
1. Practice Spotting
2. Comparison of 1M NaCl &
Water in Separating Food Colour
3. Sticks of Chalk
4. Counterfeit Smarties?
5. Comparing Black Inks
Activity 2 – Food Dyes
Activity 3 - Chalk
Activity 4 - Smarties
Activity 5 – Black Pen Ink
Activity 6 – Geranium
TLC
Paper
Activity 6A – Frozen Spinach
Activity 6A –Spinach
Activity 7 – 2 Columns